Transmission Gear Ratio Changing Without Disassembly For A Work Machine

ABSTRACT

A transmission ( 12 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ) includes a gear arrangement having a gear shaft ( 44 ) and a gear ( 48,66 ) mounted to the gear shaft ( 44 ). The gear ( 48,66 ) is axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the gear shaft ( 44 ). A housing ( 28 ) includes an access opening ( 56 ) and an access cover ( 54 ) over the access opening ( 56 ). The access cover ( 54 ) rotatably carries one end of the gear shaft ( 44 ). The access opening ( 56 ) is sized and shaped to allow the gear ( 48,66 ) to be moved through and out of the housing ( 28 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to work machines, and, more particularly, to transmissions used in such work machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A work machine such as an agricultural tractor may be driven with motive force taking several different forms, such as a rear wheel drive, four wheel drive (4WD), mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD), track-type drive, etc. In the case of an MFWD equipped tractor, the front wheel drive typically is not full time, and an electronic switch in the operator's station is used to switch between rear wheel drive and MFWD mode.

An MFWD tractor may include an internal combustion (IC) engine which provides input power to a transmission, which in turn is coupled with and drives the rear axles through a rear end differential. The transmission may also include an output shaft, typically facing in the forward direction, which connects via a drive shaft or the like with the MFWD at the front end of the tractor.

An operator may order a new MFWD equipped tractor with a selected tire combination between the front and rear tires, or may desire to change to a different tire combination for some reason. Depending on the selected tire combination, the transmission may need to have a different gear ratio for the output shaft to the MFWD. Conventional transmissions with an output shaft for an MFWD typically do no allow the gear ratio to be easily changed, either during initial assembly or in a retrofit situation. It is thus necessary to use a different transmission with a different gear ratio, or disassemble the transmission and replace the gear set coupled with the MFWD output shaft. Either solution is not optimal for efficiency and cost.

What is needed in the art is a tractor with a transmission which may be modified to provide a different gear ratio to the MFWD output shaft, without having to completely disassemble or replace the transmission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention in one form is directed to a transmission for a vehicle, including a gear arrangement having a gear shaft and a gear mounted to the gear shaft. The gear is axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the gear shaft. A housing includes an access opening and an access cover over the access opening. The access cover rotatably carries one end of the gear shaft. The access opening is sized and shaped to allow the gear to be moved through and out of the housing.

The invention in another form is directed to a transmission kit for a vehicle, including a power output having an output shaft and an output gear carried by the output shaft. An idler arrangement has an idler shaft and a plurality of drive gears. Each drive gear is selectively mountable to the idler shaft so as to be axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the idler shaft. Each drive gear has a different number of teeth relative to another drive gear, and each drive gear is configured for driving the output gear. A housing includes an access opening and an access cover over the opening. The access cover rotatably carries one end of the idler shaft, and the access opening is sized and shaped to allow the drive gear to be moved through and out of the housing.

The invention in yet another form is directed to a work machine, including an engine and a transmission coupled with the engine. The transmission includes a power input with an input shaft and an input gear carried by the input shaft, and a power output with an output shaft and an output gear carried by the output shaft. An idler arrangement mechanically interconnects the input gear and the output gear. The idler arrangement includes an idler shaft and a drive gear. The drive gear is mounted to the idler shaft so as to be axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the idler shaft. A housing includes an access opening and an access cover over the opening. The access cover rotatably carries one end of the idler shaft, and the access opening is sized and shaped to allow the drive gear to be moved through and out of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transmission of the present invention used in an agricultural tractor;

FIG. 2 is side, sectional view through the transmission shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail A shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the idler arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of a work machine 10 in the form of an agricultural tractor, particularly the rear end drive train of the tractor. Although shown as an agricultural tractor, it is possible that work machine 10 could be in the form of a different type of work machine, such as a construction tractor or forestry machine.

Tractor 10 includes a transmission 12 which is coupled with a rear end differential 14, which in turn drives a pair of rear axels 16. Each rear axel 16 includes an outboard hub 18 to which a respective rear drive wheel (not shown) s mounted.

Transmission 12 includes a driven shaft 20 which is mechanically coupled with and receives rotational input power from IC engine 22, shown schematically in FIG. 1. Driven shaft 20 transfers rotational power via appropriate gearing to differential drive shaft 24, which in turn extends from the rear of and provides rotational input power to differential rear end gear set 26 (see FIG. 2).

Driven shaft 20 extends through and is rotatably carried by housing 28, which likewise houses and rotatably carries a number of other components. Also positioned within and carried by housing 28 is an idler arrangement 30 which mechanically interconnects between a power input 32 and a power output 34. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, power input 32 includes an input shaft 36 and an input gear 38 carried by input shaft 36. In the embodiment shown, input shaft 36 is in fact the differential drive shaft 24, but could be a different rotatable drive shaft providing input power to idler arrangement 30. Input shaft 36 receives input power from driven shaft 20 coupled with IC engine 22.

The terms power input 32 and power output 34 are used relative to idler arrangement 30. That is, power input 32 provides input power to idler arrangement 30, and power output 34 receives and provides power output from idler arrangement 30.

Power output 34 similarly includes an output shaft 40 and an output gear 42 carried by output shaft 40. In the embodiment shown, output shaft 40 extends through housing 28 and provides rotational output power to the MFWD at the front axle of tractor 10. Output gear 42 is clutched to output shaft 40 so that output gear 42 positively rotates with output shaft 40 when the MFWD is engaged by actuation of a switch (not shown) in the operator's station.

Idler arrangement 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4) includes an idler shaft 44, driven gear 46 and drive gear 48. Driven gear 46 is rigidly fixed to idler shaft 44 and rotates therewith during operation. Drive gear 48 has an inside diameter which is splined to the outside diameter of idler shaft 44 when in an installed position. Drive gear 48 abuts against a shoulder 50 on idler shaft 44 for retention in one axial direction, and is retained by a snap ring 52 in the other axial direction (with a thrust washer 53 between snap ring 52 and drive gear 48).

An access cover 54 forms part of housing 28, and fits within an access opening 56 formed in housing 28. Access cover 54 carries a pair of annular seals 58 which seal with the inside diameter of access opening 56. Access cover 54 is fastened to housing 28 using three bolts 60, or other suitable fastening technique.

Access cover 54 also defines a bearing support which supports a bearing 62, which in turn has an inner race which rotatably carries an outboard end of idler shaft 44. The outboard end of idler shaft 44 has a chamfer 64 which provides easier piloting of idler shaft 44 into the inner race of bearing 62.

Under certain conditions of operation of tractor 10, such as a particular tire combination, etc., it may be desirable and/or necessary to change the input/output (I/O) ratio of idler arrangement 30, thereby changing the rotational drive speed of output shaft 40 to the MFWD. In the embodiment shown, t is possible to select between a plurality of drive gears on idler arrangement 30, including drive gear 48 and an additional drive gear 66 (FIG. 3). Each of drive gears 48 and 66 have a same inside diameter and same spline configuration allowing coupling with the exterior splines on idler shaft 44. Drive gears 48 and 66 differ from each other in that they have a different number of teeth and a slightly different overall outside diameter. In the embodiment shown, drive gear 48 has thirty teeth and drive gear 66 has thirty-one teeth, with an overall outside diameter change of less than one millimeter.

To exchange drive gear 66 for drive gear 48, or vice versa, fasteners 60 are removed from access cover 54, and access cover 54 is slid in an axial direction out of access opening 56. Bearing 62 is pressed within access cover 54 and is removed with access cover 54 from idler shaft 44. Snap ring 52 and thrust washer 53 are then removed from idler shaft 44 and withdrawn through access opening 56. Drive gear 48 is slid in an axial direction so that the interior splines disengage from the exterior splines on idler shaft 44. The overall outside diameter of drive gear 48 is slightly less than the inside diameter of access opening 56 so that drive gear 48 may be withdrawn through access opening 56. Drive gear 66 is then moved through access opening 56 and slid in an axial direction onto idler shaft 44 until seated against shoulder 50. Snap ring 52 and thrust washer 53 are re-installed on idler shaft 44, and access cover 54 is installed into access opening 56 and bolted to housing 28. During the insertion of access cover 54 into access opening 56, chamfer 64 self-centers idler shaft 44 within the inner race of bearing 62.

Using the present invention as described above, the I/O ratio of idler arrangement 30 to output shaft 40 may be changed. With conventional transmissions, it would be necessary to remove transmission 12 from rear end differential 14 and use a different transmission or disassemble/reassemble the various components and gears from the back side of transmission 12 to change the I/O ratio of output shaft 40. With the present invention, the I/O ratio may be quickly and easily changed without having to disassemble transmission 12 from rear end differential 14, or disassemble other components within transmission 12. The present invention therefore provides a fast and easy way to change the I/O ratio of output shaft 40 to the MFWD on the front axel.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. 

1. A transmission for a vehicle, comprising: a gear arrangement including a gear shaft and a gear mounted to said gear shaft, said gear being axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to said gear shaft; and a housing including an access opening and an access cover over said access opening, said access cover rotatably carrying one end of said gear shaft, said access opening being sized and shaped to allow said gear to be moved through and out of said housing.
 2. The transmission of claim 1, including a retainer coupled with said gear shaft and axially retaining said gear on said gear shaft.
 3. The transmission of claim 2, wherein said retainer is a snap ring.
 4. The transmission of claim 1, including a bearing carried by said access cover, said bearing rotatably carrying said gear shaft.
 5. The transmission of claim 4, wherein said gear shaft is axially removed from said bearing upon removal of said access cover from said housing.
 6. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said gear is splined to said gear shaft.
 7. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said gear arrangement further includes a driven gear rigidly affixed to said gear shaft.
 8. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said access cover is mounted to said housing with a plurality of fasteners.
 9. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said gear shaft is an idler shaft and said gear is a drive gear.
 10. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises a work machine.
 11. A transmission kit for a vehicle, comprising: a power output including an output shaft and an output gear carried by said output shaft; an idler arrangement including: an idler shaft; and a plurality of drive gears, each said drive gear being selectively mountable to said idler shaft so as to be axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to said idler shaft, each said drive gear having a different number of teeth relative to another said drive gear, each said drive gear being configured for driving said output gear; and a housing including an access opening and an access cover over said opening, said access cover rotatably carrying one end of said idler shaft, said access opening being sized and shaped to allow said drive gear to be moved through and out of said housing.
 12. The transmission kit of claim 11, including a retainer coupled with said idler shaft and axially retaining said drive gear on said idler shaft.
 13. The transmission kit of claim 12, wherein said retainer is a snap ring.
 14. The transmission kit of claim 11, including a bearing carried by said access cover, said bearing rotatably carrying said idler shaft.
 15. The transmission kit of claim 14, wherein said idler shaft is axially removed from said bearing upon removal of said access cover from said housing.
 16. The transmission kit of claim 11, wherein said drive gear is splined to said idler shaft.
 17. The transmission kit of claim 11, wherein said access cover is mounted to said housing with a plurality of fasteners.
 18. A work machine, comprising: an engine; and a transmission coupled with said engine, said transmission including: a power input including an input shaft and an input gear carried by said input shaft; a power output including an output shaft and an output gear carried by said output shaft; an idler arrangement mechanically interconnecting said input gear and said output gear, said idler arrangement including an idler shaft and a drive gear, said drive gear being mounted to said idler shaft so as to be axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to said idler shaft; and a housing including an access opening and an access cover over said opening, said access cover rotatably carrying one end of said idler shaft, said access opening being sized and shaped to allow said drive gear to be moved through and out of said housing.
 19. The work machine of claim 18, including a retainer coupled with said idler shaft and axially retaining said drive gear on said idler shaft.
 20. The work machine of claim 19, wherein said retainer is a snap ring.
 21. The work machine of claim 18, including a bearing carried by said access cover, said bearing rotatably carrying said idler shaft.
 22. The work machine of claim 21, wherein said idler shaft is axially removed from said bearing upon removal of said access cover from said housing.
 23. The work machine of claim 18, wherein said drive gear is splined to said idler shaft.
 24. The work machine of claim 18, wherein said access cover is mounted to said housing with a plurality of fasteners.
 25. The work machine of claim 18, wherein said work machine is a tractor and said output shaft is coupled with a mechanical front wheel drive. 